CORVALLIS -- When Cody Vaz walked into Oregon State’s pro day, he was ready to show the waiting scouts that he was willing to do whatever it takes to make it to the NFL. By the end of the day, that willingness had him standing in flip flops with socks, throwing balls to defensive backs as the scouts ran the former Beavers’ defenders through drills.

Anything to make an impression, Vaz said.

“Not very often,” said Vaz when asked how often he throws in open-toed footwear. “They needed me to throw to those guys so I just ran over there. You definitely have to do anything. You don’t want to give the wrong impression.”

After a year of sitting on the bench, the former Oregon State quarterback was happy to run through whatever the scouts wished on Friday. He completed throw after throw to dashing receivers. He sprinted in the 40 and pumped iron. It may be another year before an Oregon State quarterback is seriously considered for the NFL Draft, but Vaz isn’t planning on finishing his football career without a fight.

It was only seven months ago that Vaz was neck-and-neck with Sean Mannion for the Beavers’ starting quarterback position. Vaz would lose that battle in the last week of fall camp, and Mannion would go on to finish second in the country with 4,662 passing yards. Mannion’s success sent Vaz to a frustrating year on the bench. He finished the year with 12 completions and one touchdown.

He’s tried not to concern himself with what could have been.

“I was upset about that whole situation and not being able to play, but I did everything I could,” he said. “We’ll never know what could have happened if it would have been the other way around. I have my opportunity now and I just want to make the most of it.”

Since the end of the season, Vaz has been working out in Thousand Oaks, Calif., with former Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen. They’ve worked on his footwork and his arm strength. Vaz just hopes all of this work he’s put in will give him another look. He doesn’t have much tape for scouts to pore over, but he felt Friday went well.

“I just hope to get an invite somewhere,” he said. “I just want a chance. I feel like if I get one I’ll be ready. I have a chip on my shoulder and I’ll go in there and show I can play.”